Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) Announces Their Highly Anticipated Team Names, Colors, and Crests Spearheaded by Partnership with MATTA

WRITTEN BY Allison Smith, WER

UNITED STATES—As Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) inches closer to the start of their inaugural season, the league announces the reveal of their market teams names, colors and crests in partnership with United Kingdom (UK) based creative agency MATTA.  

In collaboration with MATTA, WER identifies as a league that positions itself as high-energy, risk-taking, intense, but also full of inspiring, fearless women athletes and fierce action that will take place on the pitch throughout the season. In doing so, the league redefines the perception of rugby in the US, challenging norms and ideals, and creating space for women to discover new role models and showcase their unique strengths.

WER and MATTA drew inspiration from the teams’ home cities, along with crucial input from players and fans. The visual identity brings new life to American sports to be a galvanizing, spirited movement. The market teams will be the following: Bay Breakers, Boston Banshees, Chicago Tempest, Denver Onyx, New York Exiles, and the Twin Cities (TC) Gemini. 

Bay Breakers

In a tie to the coastline of the bay, the Bay Area is represented by crashing and relentless waves demonstrating the might and force of nature of the sea. Harnessing the power and unpredictability of ocean waves, the Breakers team will look to break tackles, the spirit of their opponents, records on the pitch, and barriers as women in the game of rugby. The team crest features a wave, broken by a trident to represent the team wielding the power of the sea. The crest is also backed by the depiction of the California sun with Sunset Purple as well as dueling colors of Pacific and Deep Sea Blue. 

Boston Banshees

In keeping with the rich history of rebellion in the city of Boston and the New England area, WER elevates boundary breaking women with the Banshees. A banshee is a female spirit of Irish/Celtic folklore whose shriek signals impending doom. As New England is known for its ties to witches/folk-lore and also a strong Irish community presence, the Banshee is a seamless fit for the city. The team crest holds a wailing Banshee in the center signaling the unstoppable force the team will place upon their opponent; a team that will not be silenced, immersed in the colors of Moonlight White,Ghostly Gray, Blood-Moon Red and Midnight.

Chicago Tempest

In a tie to the extreme weather of the windy city, the Chicago Tempest plan to bring destruction, power, and unyielding challenge on the pitch and to their opponents. As the winters test the spirit of Chicagoeans but never break their will, the team reflects a thunderous storm and reckoning force. The crest features a storm above the iconic Willis Tower in its momentum tied together with Lightning Yellow and Tempest Gray colors. 

Denver Onyx

As Denver has a rich history of mining for rare gems and metals, the team takes its name from  the Colorado rose onyx, a gem featured in the foundation of the Colorado state capitol building and known for its colors that reflect a Colorado sunset. The black onyx—also mined in the state—represents strength, courage and determination symbolising the sheer grit and resilience of these athletes. The logo features gemstones in these contrasting black and bright pink colors. Like these tones, the team will exude toughness, sharp cuts, hits, and angles reinforcing strength that only intensifies and grows stronger with time.

New York Exiles

As the statue of Liberty is known as the Mother of Exiles and the landmark for opportunity, the team name and crest reflect this nod to Lady Liberty. The city of New York requires grit, determination, and resilience, and through their performance on the field, the Exiles will reflect that culture and community. The team crest holds three, hooded heroes representing not only Ellis Island, the journey to a new life, but also the boldness to step out in a sport that is often seen exiled in mainstream sport culture. Additionally, these figures within the crest give a nod to the superhero typography associated with New York. The crest also utilizes the torch to tie in the city’s symbolism for liberty and illumination. The team colors of Night Navy, Liberty and Shadow Teal, and Torch Orange mirror and unite with the teal-based color palette of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) New York Liberty, Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) New York Sirens, and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), New York Gotham.

Twin Cities (TC) Gemini

In representing the Twin Cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the metropolitan area with individual distinction but a common community thread and culture, the team is the Gemini. Gemini refers to the zodiac sign of the twins and is represented by intertwined snakes, mimicking the way that the Mississippi River winds through Minnesota. As serpents are unpredictable and possess a dangerous force ready to strike, the Gemini will bring these same qualities to the pitch to dismantle their opponent. The colors and design of the crest utilize colors of Deep Venom, and Serpent Green, along with Ice Blue that are often found with the appearance of the aurora borealis in the northern Minnesota skies, while tapping into the twin representation with the entangled snakes.

Team crests here.

About WER

To learn more about the teams and their crests, please follow WER on their social media platforms @rugbyevolved or check out the league’s website at https://www.womenseliterugby.us/. After the 2022 “Ignite the Change” campaign seeking to professionalize women’s rugby in the United States from the former Women’s Premier League Rugby player-run and operated amateur league, Women’s Elite Rugby was founded and formed. The league announced their official launch in 2024 with their inaugural season starting in March 2025 centering six teams in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, Bay Area, and Twin Cities featuring 180 athletes.

About MATTA

MATTA is a multi-award winning, independent, specialist sports creative agency based in London and working globally. MATTA was founded in 2015 and builds strategies, designs brands, hatches big ideas, creates advertising campaigns, and produces compelling content. MATTA believes that sport, fitness, and well-being matter - they improve people’s lives and make the world a better place - it’s the inspiration behind all that it does.

For more information, please contact:

Women’s Elite Rugby
E: media@womenseliterugby.us
Website: https://www.womenseliterugby.us/

MATTA
Jen Tomkins, Brand Director
E: jen.tomkins@makeitmatta.com"
Website: www.makeitmatta.com
LinkedIn: MATTA